Flashback Friday VI

So I didn't get to much this week like I had wanted, nor do I think I will be able to get to much over the weekend since I procrastinated and didn't get much hw done. I mean, my Break even started a day early on Tuesday because of classes canceling due to the weather and my not feeling well and skipping one...but anyway. I'm just ready for the last week and then finals and then a nice, relaxing holiday. I can't get into the mood just yet, I'm too frazzled. I wanted to have a least some time off this week but I couldn't get done any studying today. I procrastinated this morning and then we were at a wedding all evening, so I know I'm not going to get Saturday off from studies, either, and then I work this Sunday, and then...Break's over! D: *sighs dismally*

I just don't want to work on anything because they are all final projects and blegh... My one prof is awful about emailing us back and I don't know what the hell I'm doing in one class as far as hw right now and she won't let us know until like the day before it's due but she is also a stickler about missing due dates and it's just....so wrong. And another prof won't give us the date/time of our final and that is really frustrating because I can't plan out anything! I'm hoping to somehow get out of that one anyway *crosses fingers* since I think it will probably be at the same time as another final and it's a presentation and I really don't want to do it. xD Yecch... But anyway...enough of that.

I'm reading Bird as of right now. I wanted to read The Kid Table for Thanksgiving but that didn't work out, and I'm also anxious to start The Elephant in the Garden, but I think many of these books won't get started for another two weeks or so... I also want to get back into my manga reading, but that's been put on hold for now as well... I also would like to go back and finish some books I started a long time ago, but set aside. *sighs once more*

Top Ten Tuesday VII

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by 

The Broke and the Bookish.

November 26: Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For (could be bookish or not -- up to you)

So like for this one, I wasn't quite sure if I was going to do something book related or not...it seemed kind of hard for that, too vague of a question. In retrospect, doing something more in general would allow for one or two bookish things to become included, possibly. So for this Top Ten Tuesday, I am listing the Top Ten Things I am Thankful For this year.

10.

Chocolate, Cookies, Ice Cream, & Tea

I could say food, but that seems to fit more under health and prosperity and I don't want to sound metaphysical in any way, not do I want to sound sarcastic. So...I am thankful for chocolate and cookies and ice cream and tea, and I am not afraid to say so. Okay, food. I like food...

9.

Art

I'm thankful for art, for being able to be creative myself and also for being able to appreciate different artforms and learn more about them, especially this past semester. I had a lovely museum trip earlier last week and it made me really want to start exploring some more museums next year. I also really want to get back into my more traditional art, sketching, along with continuing to work with my photography, and Adobe CS6.

8.

Movies

I like movies. I like having another escape versus just my own imagination or reading. I enjoy films that are well done, that make you both laugh and cry. I weep with joy when one actually follows the book's plot. I've even come to like the ones that make you hide behind your hands, but only for alittle bit, mind you. I like getting submerged in the plot and the character's lives. I also like to fangirl over my lovelies, but that's besides the point....

7.

Music

Oh, where would I be without my music?! I would be lost, utterly lost without it! There is just too much to name and too much to sing along with, to head bash and air guitar, to lip sync and dance with until you collapse from exhaustion. I need my music as an escape, or as background music for car rides or when I'm writing or even reading. It makes me feel epic.
6.

Writing

I enjoy writing, and I've enjoyed getting back into blogging. I really enjoy rpging, and I've felt bad I haven't touched any of my novels recently. I hope to do so over Break. I love creating characters and setting and plot, and watching it take on a life of its own right before my eyes. I love plotting. I hope to one day be able to share something completed...

5.

Books

And I love my books. I love reading books, appreciating beautiful book covers, swooning over lovelies, sobbing over unfortunate deaths, giggling evilly at all the lovely plottings. I love collecting books, both ones that I've enjoyed, ones that I plan to read one day, and old books, that might possibly be worth something in future... I haven't converted to Kindle as of yet, for while there are many advantages to having a virtual library, I still love the smell, and the feel of a book in my hands.

4.

Money

As miserly as that may sound, money is something we cannot live without. I guess in a broader sense I am thankful that I have a well paying job that I've been able to keep for five years now, and that I was able to purchase my new Mac while also attending school, and while I might complain now, I know it's going to be worth it in the end. I am thankful my family has a roof over our heads and that my dad works so hard to provide for us and my mom works so hard as well helping him along with educating my younger siblings. I guess I'm just thankful that we're doing okay. Also, money buys books and music and movies and chocolate and cookies and ice cream and tea and that makes a girl plenty happy. :P

3.

Pets

With the death of our family cat earlier on this month, I have felt our other pets, especially out cats, becoming more affectionate. They know when something's up. I feel our two outdoor cats have become closer, maybe not just to each other, but to home, and to me. Oliver is just the sweetest thing ever, so affectionate. Gus is generally a wanderer, but he's been sticking around more and coming up to me more often, and I've caught him crying at Buddy's grave and it's so sweet but heartbreaking. And then there's my three indoor spoiled brats, who have always hung out in my room, hogging the bed night and day. The brother and sister, Caspian and Cupcake, have always been close, and Sebastian still acts very much like a kitten, getting into everything and having random energy spurts without warning. Oh yeah, and our dogs.....but I am a cat person, so what did you expect?

2.

Health

I'm thankful for overall health, for my family and my friends and myself. I keep my aunt in my prayers as she continues to reign victoriously over her constant battle with cancer.

1.

Family & Friends

I am thankful for my family, and for my closer friends, who I hope to see more over Winter Break.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and for those of us in school, a lovely, well deserved Break! I would like to squeeze in a review this month but I'm not quite sure if I'm going to manage that. I also know that I'm going to be very busy during the next two weeks with finals and then busy with extra work hours as soon as that's over with and then the holidays will be upon us! I really wish finals were before Thanksgiving, ya know? Not enough time to really get into the holiday spirt, especially when there's so much stress... So I might not get to everything I had planned for this or next month, but we will just have to wait and see.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Showcase Sunday VI / The Sunday Post I / Stacking the Shelves I

For this week, I decided to include two other prompts: The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer & Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews, along with my usual Showcase Sunday post, hosted by Vicky @ Books, Biscuits, & Tea. 

Showcase Sunday gives bloggers a chance to show off any book related news from the previous week, such as books you've gotten.

The Sunday Post is a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week,

showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming.

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

So this week, I got plenty of books, books that I probably do not have time for at the moment. Still, I got some reading done this week for once, which makes me happy. I don't know how much of this I'm going to get to, even over Break, I've been truly drained lately... I'll start with my first Goodreads Giveaway win! Woot! Of course, now I have to read the first book... The rest I got at the library early last week, or yesterday, all relatively short. I also added a ton to the virtual TBR pile, which I probably will get my hands on sometime later this week or next... I also have plans to purchase several books off of Amazon: some are manga volumes I've been waiting on while others were amazing deals that I do not want to pass up on. Plus, I got a giftcard recently and am itching to spend it all. xD

***************************************************************

My first Goodreads Giveaway (0r any book giveaway) win! I was so surprised when I got the package and so excited, too. I have yet to read volume 1, though, so I cannot use this as a incentive for an early review...but eventually.

****************************************************************

I think I've seen this around, not really sure what it's about, but I read the first few pages and it looks interesting enough. Plus, it's tiny...

I've been wanting to read this for awhile. I've never picked up anything by Philippa Gregory, and while it might be wise to select one of her adult works, this covers intrgiues me and the length isn't as intimidating. I just really need that right now, short books...

This cover is beautiful and I snatched it up for it's thiness, it's intriguing title, and the beautiful, beautiful cover. I actually set it aside after I realized I had quiet the pile earlier on this week, but then I put it on hold and got it out yesterday. 

This book is the story of my life. I've been meaning to read this for ages, and it's that time of year, Thanksgiving, and the kid table.....

Saw this yesterday and decided to snatch it up. Always meant to read something by Jane Yolen but never had, but this graphic novel edition stood out to me. Usually, novels turned graphic novel don't interest me but I've started to branch out a bit more...

I actually have a different cover for this but was having a hard time finding a high quality photo, and found this instead. Creepy. The cover I have is more childish, with greens and oranges and it's really bizzare and that is why I picked it up. I've seen it around and I just wanted to try it out for once...

I've seen this several times and just decided to finally check it out yesterday. I just love the cover of this graphic novel though I'm still not sure if it's based off of a novel or not. Looks good, though I really need to stop getting my hopes up over awesome covers...

I've checked this out before, but never got around to it. The other cover, with candles, makes it look a bit eerie than this one. It's got a few pictures in it, which I like...

I love the artist of this cover and that is why I picked it up...I know nothing else about it...

Flashback Friday V

So I actually finished some books this week! Woot! Go me! xD Of course, they were all super tiny and I had started some last week, or way before, but who cares! Details, details... Anyway. I finished 12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn, Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses, and Coraline. I'm currently working on Bird and The White Witch, along with some manga. I also got a bunch out from the library, even though I didn't need to, as well as added a punch to the virtual TBR pile...but more on that on Sunday.

I've been feeling really drained recently, so I don't know how much reading I'm going to get done, even over Break, but...we shall see....

Top Ten Tuesday VI

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by 

The Broke and the Bookish.

November 19: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To X Person

So for this one I was debating between a friend and my mom. Technically, most of them would probably be the same, but I'm going with my mom. I pulled out a stack of books a few months ago for her and narrowed it down to a few she was interested in...but she only read one: The Raven Boys. And I am sooo happy she enjoyed it. Over the years, she's read many of the same books as me, but not recently. It was mostly JF books... So anyway, here's some of the rest (alphabetical order).....

10. Beautiful Creatures

by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

9. The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

8. Divergent

by Veronica Roth

7. Eyes Like Stars

by Lisa Mantchev

6. The Golden Compass

by Philip Pullman

5. Howl's Moving Castle

by Diana Wynne Jones

4. Leviathan

by Scott Westerfeld

3. The Man in the Picture

by Susan Hill

2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

1. Sorcery & Cecelia

or 

The Enchanted Chocolate Pot 

by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer

Showcase Sunday V

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme run by Books, Biscuits, and Tea. Its purpose is to give bloggers a chance to show off any book related news from the previous week, such as books you've gotten.

So I got two books this week, which I mentioned briefly in my Flashback Friday post. They were both small which is originally what drew me to them as I was scanning the shelves on Wednesday. I just wanted something easy to read this week, and this is what I found...

I'm actually almost done reading this. It's a nice, quick read. I love books like this, thin, super short chapters, bit of humor. It reminded me in a way of Holes or The Card Turner, just the writing style of Louis Sachar and the simplicity of the story. There was a bit of language, but beyond that this book is relatively clean (one minor little detail that the author tastefully breezed over) and a fun little escape.

I just snatched this up as well since it was super thin, too, and it has pictures, and it just...well, look at that cover! It stood out to me and I just wanted to try it out...

Darkitty

Flashback Friday IV

So, busy... Like I mentioned, I got several new books over the past couple of weeks, but I haven't really gotten to anything yet. I read some Garfield comics as a way to unwind... 

Hopefully, I'll have more time over Thanksgiving Break, and shortly thereafter, Winter Break!!!! I didn't get one of those last Jan term, and I had a summer class and a summer full of transfer info/preparation so I haven't had much time to relax. Of course, the next three semesters are going to be so full: I have to do a summer internship and I have to take a course next winter, so blegh... Don't want to think about that anymore. I had a nice day off yesterday and an open weekend up ahead, so I should be able to get everything else done quickly. I would like to have some breathing room somewhere, though I might just end up procrastinating again...

I started reading 12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn, since it's super tiny. I like tiny books. I hope to finish Coraline, as well as start Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses this weekend...

That's all for now.

Darkitty

Top Ten Tuesday V

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by 

The Broke and the Bookish.

November 12: Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign (originally done April 2011)

Oh boy....oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I love this prompt! There are probably hundreds and hundreds of book covers that I wish I could totally redesign, especially now that I'm working on my major, in graphic design specialization. Of course, when I actually tried to hunt some down on my shelf, I couldn't find any right away. I guess that's just because I usually don't read/plan to read crappy book cover books. Because yes....judge the book by its cover, baby!

But anyway...here's what I came up with. First off, I don't want to say any/all of these are awful, just...need tweaking, perhaps. Or lots.....

They are in the order that I found them, that's all...

10.

Okay, so I really really liked Illuminate...but this cover just kind of puts me off. It's poorly photoshopped and that just really really bothers me. I mean, she is obviously floating, a separate image from the background. It's not as noticeable from far away, but it definitely is up close. I haven't picked it up yet, though the cover will always annoy me...

9.

A lot of the older, vampire series, I've noticed, started off with not too hot covers. This is one of those series. I fell in love with some of the later ones and decided to give the series a shot...and then I saw the first book cover. It's just... the shading on the title and around her head, and the coloring...it's just off. I have read over half this book, but I set it aside for other reasons, not because I couldn't stand it or the cover. I do plan to pick it back up and continue with the series....I just wish they'd redesign the first book(s) to match the later books...

8.

Okay, basically all of the original Cirque du Freak books, I wish I could redesign. I don't even like some of the redesigned ones, either. This one's not too bad, I mean it definitely looks like a cover from the time it was published, but... It reminds of some of the old Goosebump covers, actually. The colors are garish, and the black fade around it is obvious photoshoping...

7.

I like some of the later covers, but this one always felt just a little bit off to me. I'm not even going to mention the original covers....or the tv edition covers. No. But I like the concept of these covers, half the face, eerie darkness, a bit of blood. The shading is just a bit too blue and the fade from face to black is too obvious.

6.

I've never really liked this cover. The background is pretty, but the reflection in the sword and the use of opacity, and the gradient in the title...I just don't like it.

5.

It's a bit older, and a bit simpler, but I just wish they'd redesign it all ready. Make the fire more intense, more realistic, make the text more eerie. Something...

4.

I loved the first cover of this series, and even the original, but this one always felt weird to me, random really. The first is dark and blue and engaging, and the original is a close up on the old house, tilted and greenish yellow light in the windows, very haunted house looking. This looks like it was done by a completely different artist, and so does the third actually. I just really loved the first one and this was a disappoint to me...

3.

Well, I didn't really much like this book and the cover is poorly put together so I'm not really sure why I read it. I should have known better. If there wasn't enough effort put into the cover, the book can't be much better. I just hate the obvious blurring and the pasting of the images together, and no. Still, the title is kind of cool and the swirly patterns....

2.

I kind of like this one, I just think a bit more could have gone into it. It looks very steampunk and pretty, but obviously not all one image. I didn't much like the book, either...

1.

I didn't notice this before until a friend pointed it out to me, but man...awful photoshoping. I mean, just look at it, really stare at it for a bit. It's bad. I really liked Matched cover but the last two are...not good.

Darkitty